OKC Thunder - "Changing Basketball" like Moneyball
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TomasM
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Sam Presti wins 2025 NBA Executive of the Year Award
This is his first time for Presti to win the award but he came in 2nd three times in the past. Last year the Thunder's coach won the Coach of the Year award by taking the team from a previous year record of 40 - 42 (just shy of making playoffs through the play-in) to a Western Conference first place of 57-25. The team; however, fell short when they lost in the second round of the playoffs to the Dallas Maverick's due to a lack of size and experience. In the offseason Presti made sure to resolve these problems by acquiring Alex Caruso from the Chicago Bulls (for his intense defensive skills and previous NBA championship with the Los Angeles Laker) and Isaiah Hartenstein from the New York Knicks (for his size, passing, and scoring ability). These additions positioned the Thunder with all of the needed skills to compete with any team during the 2024-25 season. As a result, the team finished with a league leading 68-14 record (top 6 in NBA history) and an NBA best ever season leading point differential of 14.9 (a metric which has been the best indicator of team success and NBA championships). This was all accomplished while maintaining a league leading number of 1st round draft pics over the next five to seven years. Presti's ability to recognize exceptional talent coupled with the teams development strategy while maneuvering the team roster into a position of balanced success on both offense and defense is the biggest reason the team was able to have such a rapid and successful rebuild.
Presti is the Billy Beane (Oakland A's GM in Moneyball) of the NBA. The difference is that Presti has not only set records but has positioned the team to be a dynasty during the coming decade. Since his arrival in OKC he has produced more MVP's (by name) than any other team in the NBA over the last 25 years (with 3: Kevin Durant, Russel Westbrook, and now Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) and only one other team has produced 2 (the Los Angeles Laker with Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant). The team could of possibly had a 4th if the small market team were able to keep James Harden (later won MVP in Houston) who was drafted into the team but the team couldn't afford to keep him because of cost and the salary cap.
Going forward, the biggest problem will be keeping talent because of the high cost associated with success. Players that have developed will be approached by other teams with big contracts to lure them away from the Thunder. If the Thunder can identify the appropriate marketing techniques to build the teams financial strength then the team will be able to maintain developed players for longer periods while becoming the leagues largest cash cow. The style of the team is really the most entertaining because it combines feisty defense and dynamic offense that is similar to 80's style basketball with young fast elite college type players. I've also seen fans chiming in from Canada (due to Shai and Lu Dort being on the Canadian Olympic team) and from Germany because of Isiah Hartenstein. Alex Caruso has also brought interest from several markets (Los Angeles, Texas, and Chicago) and there are other young players from some big named universities and states where the fans often maintain a strong following.
If the team performs to it's ability Presti will be known as the greatest greatest general manager in NBA history and many already see him as being in that class.
This is his first time for Presti to win the award but he came in 2nd three times in the past. Last year the Thunder's coach won the Coach of the Year award by taking the team from a previous year record of 40 - 42 (just shy of making playoffs through the play-in) to a Western Conference first place of 57-25. The team; however, fell short when they lost in the second round of the playoffs to the Dallas Maverick's due to a lack of size and experience. In the offseason Presti made sure to resolve these problems by acquiring Alex Caruso from the Chicago Bulls (for his intense defensive skills and previous NBA championship with the Los Angeles Laker) and Isaiah Hartenstein from the New York Knicks (for his size, passing, and scoring ability). These additions positioned the Thunder with all of the needed skills to compete with any team during the 2024-25 season. As a result, the team finished with a league leading 68-14 record (top 6 in NBA history) and an NBA best ever season leading point differential of 14.9 (a metric which has been the best indicator of team success and NBA championships). This was all accomplished while maintaining a league leading number of 1st round draft pics over the next five to seven years. Presti's ability to recognize exceptional talent coupled with the teams development strategy while maneuvering the team roster into a position of balanced success on both offense and defense is the biggest reason the team was able to have such a rapid and successful rebuild.
Presti is the Billy Beane (Oakland A's GM in Moneyball) of the NBA. The difference is that Presti has not only set records but has positioned the team to be a dynasty during the coming decade. Since his arrival in OKC he has produced more MVP's (by name) than any other team in the NBA over the last 25 years (with 3: Kevin Durant, Russel Westbrook, and now Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) and only one other team has produced 2 (the Los Angeles Laker with Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant). The team could of possibly had a 4th if the small market team were able to keep James Harden (later won MVP in Houston) who was drafted into the team but the team couldn't afford to keep him because of cost and the salary cap.
Going forward, the biggest problem will be keeping talent because of the high cost associated with success. Players that have developed will be approached by other teams with big contracts to lure them away from the Thunder. If the Thunder can identify the appropriate marketing techniques to build the teams financial strength then the team will be able to maintain developed players for longer periods while becoming the leagues largest cash cow. The style of the team is really the most entertaining because it combines feisty defense and dynamic offense that is similar to 80's style basketball with young fast elite college type players. I've also seen fans chiming in from Canada (due to Shai and Lu Dort being on the Canadian Olympic team) and from Germany because of Isiah Hartenstein. Alex Caruso has also brought interest from several markets (Los Angeles, Texas, and Chicago) and there are other young players from some big named universities and states where the fans often maintain a strong following.
If the team performs to it's ability Presti will be known as the greatest greatest general manager in NBA history and many already see him as being in that class.
TomasM
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OKC, "RATTLES," teams and players with their Aggressive Style
I don't see "MONSTERS" I see Angel Warriors. They love playing together and fight so that everyone on the team can be as successful as they commit to their success. If you work hard and perform when given opportunity - you will reap the rewards and success for that effort in OKC.
I don't see "MONSTERS" I see Angel Warriors. They love playing together and fight so that everyone on the team can be as successful as they commit to their success. If you work hard and perform when given opportunity - you will reap the rewards and success for that effort in OKC.
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TomasM
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Two Former MVP's [Lebron James and Steve Nash] Talk SGA's Strength
The mid-range shots are now becoming important AGAIN and teams are starting to recognize it. Sure the 3 point shot is exciting but I've heard it said over and over that, "all players can't consistently hit the long shot like Steph Curry." Some teams should not be jacking up that many three point shots. When you face an elite defense and those three point shots are contested then the shooting percentage drops significantly.
Most people don't know this but, the Thunder was 2nd in the league in three point percentage this season if you look at the three point differential. They were first but it dipped at the end of the season when the team didn't play as many starters before the playoffs. The differential is how another team performs when they play against your team. So, in the case of the OKC Thunder, their defense will contests every shot and the work required by the opposition throughout the course of the game makes their legs tired. By the middle of the third quarter, the opponents three point percentages has dropped so much that the Thunder are now better at the three point shot because they are young and their legs and bodies have way more endurance (because they are so young). That's why we are seeing them pull ahead of teams with a couple great high paid MVP's who don't have the same youthful legs. A 40 year old LeBron can't run for four quarters against a starting five and deep bench that could run high energy on back-to-back games. If the Thunder slowed down then their three point shooting would be significantly higher as a league stat but that wouldn't be as advantageous to success because they wouldn't be playing to their strength. In the fourth quarter when teams are gassed, the Thunder are getting wide open shots and they can make these because their legs are conditioned for running marathons.
The mid-range shots are now becoming important AGAIN and teams are starting to recognize it. Sure the 3 point shot is exciting but I've heard it said over and over that, "all players can't consistently hit the long shot like Steph Curry." Some teams should not be jacking up that many three point shots. When you face an elite defense and those three point shots are contested then the shooting percentage drops significantly.
Most people don't know this but, the Thunder was 2nd in the league in three point percentage this season if you look at the three point differential. They were first but it dipped at the end of the season when the team didn't play as many starters before the playoffs. The differential is how another team performs when they play against your team. So, in the case of the OKC Thunder, their defense will contests every shot and the work required by the opposition throughout the course of the game makes their legs tired. By the middle of the third quarter, the opponents three point percentages has dropped so much that the Thunder are now better at the three point shot because they are young and their legs and bodies have way more endurance (because they are so young). That's why we are seeing them pull ahead of teams with a couple great high paid MVP's who don't have the same youthful legs. A 40 year old LeBron can't run for four quarters against a starting five and deep bench that could run high energy on back-to-back games. If the Thunder slowed down then their three point shooting would be significantly higher as a league stat but that wouldn't be as advantageous to success because they wouldn't be playing to their strength. In the fourth quarter when teams are gassed, the Thunder are getting wide open shots and they can make these because their legs are conditioned for running marathons.
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TomasM
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OKC is Watching and Waiting - Who will it BE?
Both teams are solid but Indiana is definitely more suited to play the Thunder in the NBA Finals. Last season, before OKC altered their roster, the Pacers were a difficult matchup for the Thunder. They play fast, are great shooting from three and have a good mix of inside-outside talent. That said, I want New York to win this series, but not because I want to see OKC avoid playing a tougher opponent. The Thunder won both games against both of these teams during the regular season, and I know that they can be successful against the Pacers or the Knicks. The reason I want the Knicks is because the are the largest market with some of the deepest pocket and the Thunder are a small market team. When a team is trying to overcome an unfair financial game, the best opponent will be the one that is the most involved in the problem being addressed. The Knicks acquired Karl Anthony Towns (KAT) from the Timberwolves in the offseason and it was a big ticket purchase; however, the Thunder took Isiah Hartenstein from the Knicks during the summer and he cost a pretty penny to get him out of that large market. He has been huge this season in helping the Thunder overcome the size problems the Thunder faced last season. To go up against the largest market with a player that was taken from them in the offseason would be a monumental statement.
The Thunder are ready and waiting for whomever they play on Thursday. Good luck to each of the teams in the Eastern Conference Finals. May the best team win.
Both teams are solid but Indiana is definitely more suited to play the Thunder in the NBA Finals. Last season, before OKC altered their roster, the Pacers were a difficult matchup for the Thunder. They play fast, are great shooting from three and have a good mix of inside-outside talent. That said, I want New York to win this series, but not because I want to see OKC avoid playing a tougher opponent. The Thunder won both games against both of these teams during the regular season, and I know that they can be successful against the Pacers or the Knicks. The reason I want the Knicks is because the are the largest market with some of the deepest pocket and the Thunder are a small market team. When a team is trying to overcome an unfair financial game, the best opponent will be the one that is the most involved in the problem being addressed. The Knicks acquired Karl Anthony Towns (KAT) from the Timberwolves in the offseason and it was a big ticket purchase; however, the Thunder took Isiah Hartenstein from the Knicks during the summer and he cost a pretty penny to get him out of that large market. He has been huge this season in helping the Thunder overcome the size problems the Thunder faced last season. To go up against the largest market with a player that was taken from them in the offseason would be a monumental statement.
The Thunder are ready and waiting for whomever they play on Thursday. Good luck to each of the teams in the Eastern Conference Finals. May the best team win.
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TomasM
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Two Thunder Players named to the 2025 All NBA Defensive Team
Lugentz Dort made the First Team and was the best defender on the best NBA defense this season. He always gets the toughest players on the opponents team and fights tooth and nail during every possession. My nickname for him is 'The Bully.' I call him this because he's like a Pitbull and is relentless when it comes to the aggression needed to play against the best offensive players every single game. I also call him The Bully because, he'll take an offensive players lunch money and the team will go have a dunk party with it. Lu, is the guy you want in your corner when a scrap is about to go down, he makes the offensive players on the team better when they have to practice against him, and he's the most loyal friend a teammate could ever hope to have. If you need him, he'll show up and have your back. Lot's of respect for Lu Dort.
Jalen Williams made the second team and had a magnificent season defensively when he had to play against the 4 and 5 (big guys) at a time when Chet Holmgren was out for months with a hip fracture. Lot of respect for J-Dub, who stepped up big when the team had some tough match-ups during that time.
Chet Holmgren most likely would have made this team had he not been out with a broken hip for half the season. I certainly don't blame the NBA for not allowing players to be eligible when they don't play a certain number of games, because there have been several who would sit during tough games to pad stats. Defensive players don't usually sit for stat padding and I don't believe any of the players on this list would sit for that reason - in fact, I have a large degree of respect for the guys that have the grit to play great defense when it so often goes without thanks from many of the fans and media.
I also think Victor Wembanyama would have made this team if he hadn't gone out with a season ending injury. Hope he is healing during this time away from work.
Congratulations to all who made this team. To me, it's a greater honor than the All NBA Team.
NBA Source
Lugentz Dort made the First Team and was the best defender on the best NBA defense this season. He always gets the toughest players on the opponents team and fights tooth and nail during every possession. My nickname for him is 'The Bully.' I call him this because he's like a Pitbull and is relentless when it comes to the aggression needed to play against the best offensive players every single game. I also call him The Bully because, he'll take an offensive players lunch money and the team will go have a dunk party with it. Lu, is the guy you want in your corner when a scrap is about to go down, he makes the offensive players on the team better when they have to practice against him, and he's the most loyal friend a teammate could ever hope to have. If you need him, he'll show up and have your back. Lot's of respect for Lu Dort.
Jalen Williams made the second team and had a magnificent season defensively when he had to play against the 4 and 5 (big guys) at a time when Chet Holmgren was out for months with a hip fracture. Lot of respect for J-Dub, who stepped up big when the team had some tough match-ups during that time.
Chet Holmgren most likely would have made this team had he not been out with a broken hip for half the season. I certainly don't blame the NBA for not allowing players to be eligible when they don't play a certain number of games, because there have been several who would sit during tough games to pad stats. Defensive players don't usually sit for stat padding and I don't believe any of the players on this list would sit for that reason - in fact, I have a large degree of respect for the guys that have the grit to play great defense when it so often goes without thanks from many of the fans and media.
I also think Victor Wembanyama would have made this team if he hadn't gone out with a season ending injury. Hope he is healing during this time away from work.
Congratulations to all who made this team. To me, it's a greater honor than the All NBA Team.
NBA Source
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